The New Washington State Office of Equity: Bridging Opportunity Gaps and Reducing Disparities in Our Communities

Dr. Karen A. Johnson goes by Dr. J, and is the inaugural director for the newly created Washington State Office of Equity, established by the legislature and signed into law in April 2020.  The office will work with agencies to increase access to equitable opportunities in order to bridge opportunity gaps and reduce disparities. “Karen brings extensive experience working to transform local and state government systems to more equitably serve Washingtonians,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “She has oriented her entire career around helping disadvantaged communities and instituting lasting systemic and institutional change for generations to come. I have every confidence that she will be an excellent, effective director. I am looking forward to working with her collaboratively to ensure that our state is one that supports all Washingtonians. The Office of Equity is an exciting opportunity to reframe how state government works.”   Join us to learn how Dr. J and her office will work with communities to develop the state’s five-year equity plan.

Dr. J holds both a Ph.D. and Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University and earned her bachelor of science from Utica College of Syracuse University. She has also earned a Certified Diversity Executive certification.